The History of The Acai Berry

The tribes in the Amazon jungle were some of the first people who utilized acai berry as a treatment for various ailments. Approximately 2,000 of the recognized rainforest fruits were used by the indigenous tribe people for therapeutic purposes. Acai berries are just one of these fruits that have been discovered in the Amazon region. It has been known by the indigenous people as "ica-cai." This means “fruit that cries.”

Native people have been consuming acai berries as food for hundreds of years and it has become a significant part of their folklore. One of the Amazonian tribes that makes use of this fruit for therapeutic purposes is the Shuar tribes. The uwishins, or Shuar healers, are the ones who have knowledge about the therapeutic uses of plants, as well as how they are being used as medicine. The uwishins learned through experiments from the medicinal plants themselves. They also gained their knowledge about the use of plants as medicines from others. These healers not only have knowledge about alternative medicine, but they also know many of the rainforests secrets. Their primary task is to research and seek solutions to different illnesses.

The healing properties of acai berry are not new to the tribes in the Amazon jungle. They are the ones who found out about its uses and considered it a good energy food. Acai berries are customarily pulped when making wines that are rich in minerals. The usefulness of this small purplish berry was only known to the primitive Amazon’s tribes men and women until it has been discovered and used in more than ten million Brazilians who have schistosomosis.

Acai berries are utilized by modern Brazilians as part of their everyday diet. They usually take it in the morning with their breakfast. In spite the fact that Rio de Janeiro is far from the Amazon Rainforest, it is in this location where acai berry gained popularity. The well-known Gracie Jiu-Jitsu family promotes eating acai berries before workouts. The frozen pulp is usually mixed by soccer players with guarana to boost their energy.

Doctors and researchers conducted medical studies concerning the health benefits being offered by Acai berries. They discovered so many electrifying health benefits in the small purplish fruit.

In 2008, acai berry has reaped media attention, especially from television shows and news networks. Talk shows featured this miracle fruit, as some people call it. Acai berry will most likely prolong to skyrocket in recognition as more and more people discover its health benefits. And because of the global demand for Acai berry, it is currently being cultivated.

In spite the fact that Acai berries are taken as food, it still can’t be eaten directly. This fruit has to be processed first before anyone can eat it. According to some researchers, Acai berry has no side effects. However, further studies are still being conducted with regards to this amazing fruit.